Gachagua: NIS failed us in wake of anti-tax demos, Noordin Haji should resign

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rebuked intelligence agencies for failing to provide crucial information that could have prevented the recent nationwide protests.

These demonstrations, held against the Finance Bill 2024-2025, resulted in the tragic loss of lives and injuries.

Speaking from his official residence in Mombasa on Wednesday, Gachagua placed the blame squarely on Noordin Haji, the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), accusing him of gross incompetence.

"We have a dysfunctional national intelligence service that has exposed the president, the government, and the people of Kenya. NIS Director Noordin Haji must take responsibility for the deaths of protesters and resign... If Noordin Haji had done his job, we would not be where we are today," Gachagua said.

The Deputy President's speech pointed the failure of intelligence services to inform the government about the public's opposition to the Finance Bill.

Gachagua lamented that senior officers received no warning about the protests. "Officers of the National Police Service (NPS) said they did not get any advance information about the protests. Since independence, there have been protests, but never have protesters invaded and gotten inside Parliament. Senior officers have revealed to me they had no intelligence."

He accused Haji of dismantling the NIS by removing experienced directors and replacing them with less capable individuals.

"When appointed, because of an inferiority complex, Haji chased all senior people, therefore crippling the function. Three directors were chased away and assigned to desk jobs, and 13 assistant directors with proven track records were removed from NIS, leaving a shell under a clueless NIS Director General who has no capacity to run it," Gachagua stated.

He claimed Haji was a junior officer before he got the appointment. However, Before being the Director of Public Prosecutions, he served as Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service.

He holds a Bachelor of Law and Masters degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff. Additionally, he holds a second Masters Degree in National Security Policy with Merit (MNSPO) from the Australian National University.

Haji was admitted to the Bar in 1999 and thereafter joined the Public Service in January 2000, working at the Attorney General's Office.

Listening to people

Gachagua wondered when the rain started beating the Kenya Kwanza Government. “How did we get here? We were just elected the other day. Where did the rain begin to beat us? When did we stop listening to the people?” he posed.

He also emphasised the importance of security agencies not being used for political purposes by a few individuals. "It is crucial for various security units in the country not to be used politically for the goals of a few individuals," he noted.

Gachagua appealed to all elected leaders to listen to the people's grievances and called on the youth to halt their planned protests.

"I appeal to the young people to stop the protests planned for tomorrow which will lead to destruction of property. We need to reach out and build consensus. Members of Parliament who voted 'no' have been harassed, but we need to respect their decisions. I empathise with MPs for their traumatic experience and urge young people not to destroy property to be heard," he said.

Gachagua also expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the impact on families. "As a parent, I feel the deep pain of losing our children. No parent should bury their child in such circumstances."

Gachagua also touched on issues of abductions and extrajudicial killings, noting a troubling resurgence.

He cited the abduction of Attorney General Justin Muturi's son alleging it was spearheaded by NIS officers as an example, questioning the future safety of ordinary Kenyans.

Gachagua also made a heartfelt plea to the youth to call off their protests and engage in constructive dialogue. "Please make an announcement this evening and call off the protests so that we can begin honest conversations on how to work in our country. Consider a plan to help families who have lost their livelihoods. This should have never happened."

He urged the President to find means to assist those in hospitals and those families who have lost their kins